Art of the Home


Joie de Vivre

Quote du Jour: Julia Child on Following Your Bliss

Let’s get some inspiration for cooking and for life as well from the wonderful Julia Child on her 100th birthday!  From our short inspirational quotes collection: today’s quote is about following your bliss and is given to us by the one and only Julia Child.  She is an inspiration both for her cooking but also for her […]

Video du Jour: A Favorite Wedding Song

Today’s Video du Jour is Air – the baroque masterpiece composed by German composer Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750). This is one of our favorite wedding songs especially when intimately played by a string quarter – so gentle, romantic and simply beautiful. Enjoy!

Sunday Arrowords – Mots Fléchés du Dimanche

Télé 7 Jeux is a monthly magazine quite popular in France.  In the summer especially, their “Mots Fléchés” (Arrowords) can be relaxing while at the beach, at the pool, or on the campground.  It can also be quite a fun family affair and can be ongoing for days – such fun!  We just learned that […]

Good Luck to All – Bonne Chance à Tous!

Wishing all the best to the dedicated athletes of the world during the Olympics with our Video du Jour today.  Gloria Estefan sings “Reach” – powerful words, beautiful video.  A special thought for the mothers and fathers too.  Good luck to all – Bonne chance à tous!  

Video du Jour: Tony Bennett and Amy Winehouse

Tony Bennett & Amy Winehouse Sing Billie Holiday It was one year ago on July 23 that we lost the talented Amy Winehouse.  In our Video du Jour, we remember Amy Winehouse with her duet with Tony Bennett.  They sing Billie Holiday’s “Body and Soul”.  You see them in the studio recording it together — […]

France Remembers the Victims of The Vel’ d’Hiv Roundup

La Raffle du Vel’ d’Hiv (The Vel’ d’hiv Roundup) started early on July 16th, 1942 and went on for 2 days.  It is the largest mass roundup that took place in France during WWII.   Under a nazi decree, almost 10,000 Jews were rounded up in Paris by French police and were held in the Vel’ d’Hiv […]

Fables de La Fontaine for FREE in English and French

Jean de La Fontaine was born on this day July 8 in 1621. His classic “Fables de La Fontaine” filled so many children’s memories at home and at school. Check below for free kindle versions of the stories of morals and virtues – as relevant today as they were in the 17th century! Jean de La […]

Video du Jour: Elvis 1st Recorded Song for his Mother

Elvis Presley 1st Recording (July 5th, 1954) Today July 5th, back in 1954, Elvis recorded his first song, he was 19.   This first recording was “That’s All Right. Mama” which he recorded for his mother’s birthday so he could give her the vinyl as a gift – how touching is that!  This live show […]

Ella Fitzgerald performs “Hello Dolly” Live

Today in 1964, Ella Fitzgerald had her improvised duet with the crickets (cigales) during the 4th French Jazz festival of Juan-les-Pins on the French Riviera (crickets are always part of the public at this Jazz festival!). To remember this moment, we are sharing her upbeat rendition of “Hello Dolly” one year later in 1965 – no crickets […]