the wonder of wellies

image via aigle.com

I will not bore with details of the weather. It is raining in Edinburgh. It has been raining for days, though it feels like weeks, if not months and perhaps even years. I met a friend outside her office today (in the rain), for lunch. I quickly clocked her really nice (waterproof and French), parka. I almost always dress inappropriately when it comes to the weather here and these days do not really own anything that could be called anything more than splash-proof. Which is ridiculous really, seeing as I currently live in Scotland. Anyway, this parka was not only a great hue, but stylish and cut perfectly. Aigle: not what I would have termed in the past as one of my go-to brands of choice, but the aforementioned outergarmet and their current collection has changed my mind. This is a company proud of its heritage and quality, made in France products. The website, with its nautical back stories, looks great and is totally on trend. They do a lovely line in shorts, shoes, jumpers and have even teamed up with agnès b for a range of limited edition wellies. If like me you thought differently about this lot, have a think again.

les chaussettes de l'Archiduchesse

Do not be fooled by the pretty blossom. It may be spring, but in Edinburgh today, it might as well be autumn, going on winter. Yes, more weather related complaints from me. Fear not, help is at hand, in the shape of warm layers, gloves, a scarf, hat and that all important pair of warm socks. I first heard about Archiduchesse chaussettes last week, whilst watching the lunchtime news on France 3. I only caught the latter part of the report, but having since done a bit of research, gather that their socks were recently ripped off by a company in China. Counterfeit versions of their beloved made in France socks were doing the rounds on the net. The bone fide site and blog is here, where socks in 4 different varieties and children's tights can be found; all colours of the rainbow are well represented. The owners tell the tale that when starting out with their sock venture, their goal was to produce socks to match their Converse. Nice USP. Mine are to match my photo.

All sock images are via archiduchesse.com

Golden Hook

All images via goldenhook.fr

I thought some shoehorning might be required to squeeze this into spring, but none needed. This is another post about knitting. Some may at this point think I have lost the plot, having just mentioned the +25 degree temperatures we were experiencing in the south of France a couple of days ago, but we have returned to Edinburgh. People, the weather here is a bit, well, rubbish. I have lost 20 degrees in 3 days, am wrapped in a few woollen layers and have been cold all day. So, I am telling you about this website I have just discovered. Those not in current need of knitted comfort, please store the info away for a time when you are feeling chilly and fancy some new knitwear. The Golden Hook are a brigade of self-proclaimed, talented knitting grannies, who will create your chosen item for you, in your selected colour scheme, from the Golden Hook catalogue. Childrenswear is to feature in the range, soon. If like me you are a fan of the home-knit, but quickly lose interest lack talent generally make a complete mess of it (when it comes to knitting), give these people a try.

allez

All images via storerolandgarros.com

I caught the start of Andy Murray in Monte Carlo, yesterday, which reminded me that my favourite tennis season is about to begin. Roland Garros kicks off in May, with its entertaining France 2 coverage and trademark close-ups of random details in the crowd. Closely followed by Wimbledon. If like me, you are not getting to go to either tournament this year, cheer yourself up by having a look at the rather good Roland Garros boutique online.

gentil coquelicot

Vibrant and beautiful poppies have just started appearing and are currently lining the country roadsides, here in the Gard. As if to mark the occasion, agnès b has just added this cheery skirt to her summer 2012 line for girls. Coquelicot: surely up there as one of the loveliest words in the French language.

Image via agnesb.fr

le slip français

Gentlemen, please take note: this one is for you (and/or the people in your life who like to buy you underwear). 100% made in France, top quality, from pure and locally-produced cotton, briefs. In traditional red, white and blue colours, with good packaging and styles. Le Slip Français has been going for 60 years, manufacturing men's undies from their factory in Saint-Antoine, Dordogne. A percentage of each sale from their website, supports the charity 'Rêve d'Enfance', that has, since 2001, been aiming to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses.

p.s. Ladies, your range is launching soon...

Maison Labiche

Maison Labiche is my latest petite découverte.  A bit too late for Christmas, I know, but a good tip for updating your wardrobe, just a tad. I am liking their well-cut, crisp white t-shirts, hand embroidered in France - with a special little name or message. A selection of beauties appear on the website, but you can have whatever you want on there.

Image via maisonlabiche.com

Image via maisonlabiche.com

Image via maisonlabiche.com

a lesson in stripes

Image via saint-james.fr

This is a bit of an obvious one for a French-related blog, but no matter. Here's a thing or two about some great French stripe style. You can never have too many stripes in your wardrobe (so say I). Ok, well there should possibly be at least one 'Made in France', good quality, well designed, hardwearing, classic stripey top in there that you can dress up or down and can last you for years. For the real thing, here are my tips: Armor Lux, St James and Petit Bateau. Just in time for adding to your Christmas wish-list...

Claudie Pierlot

It took me quite a while to pluck up the courage to start buying anything online. These days, a significant proportion of my clothes shopping is done sitting in front of my laptop. Casual wandering around the streets, popping in and out of shops still has an awful lot going for it though and one of the things I miss most about living in France is the shops. Particularly in Paris. There once was a great little boutique, Rue Montmartre, called Mon Ami Pierlot. A spin off of its older sister, Claudie Pierlot, at the time it was also slightly more affordable for my new-graduate pocket. I seem to remember that a lot of the designs and pieces were based around or sourced from the designer's travels. I bought a lovely green parka there about 10 years ago, that I still wear today. The shop disappeared from sight a while back, but Claudie Pierlot is still alive and well, with yet another cracking Autumn/Winter Collection. Chic, effortless style, as the French do so, so well.

Images via claudiepierlot.com

raindrops keep falling on my head

Image via guycotten.com

I found myself whistling it this evening. It has been raining all, day, long. Not heavy rain, just the fine, incessant kind that feels at first like you have received a pleasant skoosh from a posh facial spray, but rapidly turns your hair into a frizz-fest. My daughter and I left the house this morning both wearing down jackets, but we really shouldn't have bothered. After a couple of days of what has felt like Edinburgh winter was well on its way, it is kind of mild again. We could really have done with some Guy Cotten classic marine rainwear, instead. So brilliant are this lot, that they do them in sizes to fit all the family.

Image via guycotten.com